My performance is only a few hours away now!!! So I now have to focus on final preparation. I will do this by going through each of my pieces and making sure there are no mistakes and that I know my pieces inside out. If I do make any mistakes in my pieces, I will go back to them and go over them many times to make sure I know them well. I have memorised my lyrics for My Favourite Things and memorised most of my piano piece. Because there are four pages of sheet music for Sparrow, I have put them in plastic wallets, back to back in a folder so it is easier to turn the pages by myself and easier to read. I won't have my lyrics with me when I'm performing, so I have to make sure I have memorised the lyrics. Before my performance, I will go through the lyrics and make sure I know them inside out. Also, I will have to check my breathe control in My Favourite Things, so I will run through it and make sure I am breathing in the right places. Also, I will check my voice placement is right, such as using my head voice for the higher notes and chest voice for the lower notes.
Another thing I have to control is nerves. Before I go on, I will do breathing exercises to calm myself down. Also, I will be confident in myself as I have practised a lot and know my pieces well, so I will think positive thoughts and not put myself down as I sometimes do before I perform.
Thursday, 21 March 2013
Wednesday, 13 March 2013
Stage Presence
When I look at videos of myself singing or playing, I realise I don't really have a lot of stage presence. This is because I'm not really used to performing to crowds and introducing myself to a crowd. Normally when I perform, I have someone introducing me and what I'm going to play or sing, so I am not used to introducing myself. I struggle with my confidence as well which holds me back and this reflects my stage presence. Because I don't have a lot of confidence when performing, I don't talk to my audience and involve them. It is hard for me to do this as I don't really know how to talk to an audience. To gain confidence when performing, I could perform to my family and friends more as I don't really do that at the moment and introduce myself to them and also ask for feedback on wat my stage presence is like. Furthermore, I could watch my favourite artists/performers and see how they present themselves on stage. From watching them, I can see what I could do to improve my stage presence by incorporating something they might do that would help me and that I could relate to. For example, some performers like to keep their introduction of the song short and sweet, which is something I could do as I feel it would suit me more, seeing as I don't have much confidence or experience talking to an audience.
An additional worry of mine is how I can engage my audience whilst sitting at a piano. One of my pieces is a singing piece, so that won't be as hard to present myself because I am standing up, looking at my audience. But my other piece is a piano piece and I think it will be harder to involve my audience if I am sitting at a piano. Obviously, I can talk to them before I start but it is the fact of keeping their attention. What I could do is start with my singing piece to interact with my audience first, then talk to them before I sit at the piano and play my piece, then talk to them afterwards, as I don't have to talk to them all the time.
Another thing I noticed while watching me back is my facial expressions. It is very noticeable when I go wrong in a piece as my facial expressions give me away or I whisper something under my breath. To avoid this, when I'm practicing, if I make a mistake I should just carry on like nothing has happened, because people will most likely forget if I went wrong by the end of the piece and maybe not even notice as I didn't give it away. Also, I noticed I looked miserable when I played even though I am just concentrating. I do enjoy the piece I am playing/singing but I do not convey this to my audience. To show my enjoyment, I should smile more and make it look easy. I can do this by making sure I am confident with my piece, and have confidence in myself then just enjoy playing it. Showing that I enjoy the piece/s will make it better for me as the performer and for the audience, as they can see I am enjoying performing to them.
Something else to consider would be what I wear, as I want to give my audience to right impression about me. I shouldn't wear something smart as it is not a formal occasion, but I shouldn't wear a tracksuit or scruffy clothes as I want to show my audience that I care about my performance and I care about their opinion. Also, normally when I perform, my hair is down, which subconsciously could be a barrier for me and hide me from the audience. This may also relate to my confidence. I could wear my hair back to let the audience in and show I don't want to hide or shy away from performing. However, I feel more comfortable with my hair down as I hardly ever wear it up and it makes me feel safer as I have a barrier. Having my hair up could affect my performance as it may make me more uncomfortable to not have a barrier and it will make me feel more vulnerable, but this is something I could try to see how it affects my performance as I haven't performed with my hair up yet.
Thursday, 28 February 2013
Performance Review Evaluation
Link to my video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VuJcin79VI&list=PLUwncSquNfWySAUHJD2nVa6njPIDGzg9L&index=9
Watching this back, it didn't go as bad as I thought at the time but there still many things I need to improve on.
Strengths:
When I started the piece, it went well as there were no hesitations and practiced it many times which had obviously paid off. I think this is because when I practice I tend to go back to the beginning which would show why I'm good at it. Also, there were some good elements of playing within the whole piece and that shows the practice I put into certain areas of the piece and this is because of my practice schedule which is practising certain areas numerous times. When I did go wrong, I did carry on playing which helped instead of just stopping completely and starting again.
Weaknesses:
However, there were many hesitations and the piece gradually slowed down as I carried on. This may be because I have practiced particular parts more than others and not concentrated on the parts that contain hesitation and slower playing. I made faces when I went wrong which gave away to the audience where I went wrong though sometimes it wasn't noticeable. I should try and control my facial expressions when playing and when I go wrong I should just carry on. In the performance, I don't look like I'm enjoying myself and I am but the audience doesn't know this. I will get more emotionally involved by really hearing the piece rather than just practicing it. My hair covers up my face a lot which could psychologically be a thing that hides me a little bit. I should try singing and playing with my hair back to see how this affects my performance and see if it makes it better.
My practice routine is effective but I don't think I am using it right. I practice the bits I know better more because I feel more confident when I do but I must practice the parts I am not comfortable with yet to get them up to scratch. I will not change it because I feel like it is working, I just need to apply it to the areas I am not confident with yet and it will help me.
From this experience, I have learnt that I am not too confident performing by myself. To gain confidence I could perform in front of my family and friends more often to get used to playing by myself. Also, just to practice more in general to feel more prepared when performing to an audience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VuJcin79VI&list=PLUwncSquNfWySAUHJD2nVa6njPIDGzg9L&index=9
Watching this back, it didn't go as bad as I thought at the time but there still many things I need to improve on.
Strengths:
When I started the piece, it went well as there were no hesitations and practiced it many times which had obviously paid off. I think this is because when I practice I tend to go back to the beginning which would show why I'm good at it. Also, there were some good elements of playing within the whole piece and that shows the practice I put into certain areas of the piece and this is because of my practice schedule which is practising certain areas numerous times. When I did go wrong, I did carry on playing which helped instead of just stopping completely and starting again.
Weaknesses:
However, there were many hesitations and the piece gradually slowed down as I carried on. This may be because I have practiced particular parts more than others and not concentrated on the parts that contain hesitation and slower playing. I made faces when I went wrong which gave away to the audience where I went wrong though sometimes it wasn't noticeable. I should try and control my facial expressions when playing and when I go wrong I should just carry on. In the performance, I don't look like I'm enjoying myself and I am but the audience doesn't know this. I will get more emotionally involved by really hearing the piece rather than just practicing it. My hair covers up my face a lot which could psychologically be a thing that hides me a little bit. I should try singing and playing with my hair back to see how this affects my performance and see if it makes it better.
My practice routine is effective but I don't think I am using it right. I practice the bits I know better more because I feel more confident when I do but I must practice the parts I am not comfortable with yet to get them up to scratch. I will not change it because I feel like it is working, I just need to apply it to the areas I am not confident with yet and it will help me.
From this experience, I have learnt that I am not too confident performing by myself. To gain confidence I could perform in front of my family and friends more often to get used to playing by myself. Also, just to practice more in general to feel more prepared when performing to an audience.
Thursday, 14 February 2013
Performance Review
Today we had to do a performance review where we had to perform both of our pieces. Unfortunately, my accompanist forgot his music for My Favourite Things so I couldn't perform that, but I did do my other piano piece, Sparrow.
I thought that it started off well, as it always does because a habit is to go back to the start of the piece everytime you practice, which is a habit I should get out of by starting with a different bar of my sheet music instead. As the song progressed, I feel it got worse. I played the wrong notes and my fingers stumbled over the keys because I was so nervous. What's fustrating is that when I rehearsed it before, it went better and not so many mistakes were made as to when I peformed it in front of the class. Also, what made it worse was showing my audience that I had gone wrong by my facial expressions and saying things under my breath. If I hadn't of done this, my audience wouldn't have known the difference as they didn't know the piece, this is something to keep in my mind next time I peform.
I think something that affected my performance the most was my nerves. My hands and legs were shaking and this definitely affected my performance. Because it was a solo piece, all I could think were negative thoughts about myelf and putting myself down. Even though the group I peformed in front of were very supportive and I have performed in front of them before, it is still a very daunting thing to do. To try and calm myself I could think positive thoughs and get into my head that I can do it instead of telling myself that I can't. Also, I can try and practice or perform in front of my family/friends to get used to playing infront of people and try blocking them out and concentrate on myself more than worrying what my audience are thinking.
In my performance, there were some good elements in my playing. Such as when I went wrong, I just carried on instead of stopping which would have made it more obvious to my audience. Also, some parts of the piece I played were good, such as the beginning and some bars in the middle.
I thought that it started off well, as it always does because a habit is to go back to the start of the piece everytime you practice, which is a habit I should get out of by starting with a different bar of my sheet music instead. As the song progressed, I feel it got worse. I played the wrong notes and my fingers stumbled over the keys because I was so nervous. What's fustrating is that when I rehearsed it before, it went better and not so many mistakes were made as to when I peformed it in front of the class. Also, what made it worse was showing my audience that I had gone wrong by my facial expressions and saying things under my breath. If I hadn't of done this, my audience wouldn't have known the difference as they didn't know the piece, this is something to keep in my mind next time I peform.
I think something that affected my performance the most was my nerves. My hands and legs were shaking and this definitely affected my performance. Because it was a solo piece, all I could think were negative thoughts about myelf and putting myself down. Even though the group I peformed in front of were very supportive and I have performed in front of them before, it is still a very daunting thing to do. To try and calm myself I could think positive thoughs and get into my head that I can do it instead of telling myself that I can't. Also, I can try and practice or perform in front of my family/friends to get used to playing infront of people and try blocking them out and concentrate on myself more than worrying what my audience are thinking.
In my performance, there were some good elements in my playing. Such as when I went wrong, I just carried on instead of stopping which would have made it more obvious to my audience. Also, some parts of the piece I played were good, such as the beginning and some bars in the middle.
Wednesday, 6 February 2013
Posture
When playing and singing, my posture must be correct in order to peform better:
For playing piano, I must sit up straight and by sitting not too close but not too far away from the piano to get the range I need to reach all the notes, my feet should be stable on the ground for easy access to the pedal, sit on front half of the bench, not all of it, hands should be rounded and fingers bent, elbows slightly higher than the keys and wrists should be loose and rounded like my hands.
For singing, chin should be about parallel to the floor, shoulders should be held back and down, with chest held high,but not in a strained position, abdomen should be flat and firm, held in an expandable position, hands should be relaxed and still at the sides, knees should be flexibly loose, and never locked, feet should be slighty apart, one slightly in front of the other, the weight of the body is slightly forward. Things I could do o make sure I have the right posture for singing:Stand up against a wall, placing heels, calves, buttocks, shoulders, and
head touch the wall.
Place one hand on the abdomen while breathing, to ensure the abdomen is
expanding and relaxed.
Shift the weight of your body forward until almost standing on tips of the
toes. Try to establish a feeling of buoyancy.
Stand in a slouched position, then change to the correct position, noticing
the difference between the two
For playing piano, I must sit up straight and by sitting not too close but not too far away from the piano to get the range I need to reach all the notes, my feet should be stable on the ground for easy access to the pedal, sit on front half of the bench, not all of it, hands should be rounded and fingers bent, elbows slightly higher than the keys and wrists should be loose and rounded like my hands.
For singing, chin should be about parallel to the floor, shoulders should be held back and down, with chest held high,but not in a strained position, abdomen should be flat and firm, held in an expandable position, hands should be relaxed and still at the sides, knees should be flexibly loose, and never locked, feet should be slighty apart, one slightly in front of the other, the weight of the body is slightly forward. Things I could do o make sure I have the right posture for singing:
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
Practice Schedule--Sparrow piano piece
First of all, I have to warm up. So to do this I play some scales and arpeggios to warm up my fingers. Then I listen to the piece, only halfway through so far, and play it using the sheet music. In this video, I only play the first two pages as it would to much to go through all the way through already:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vic3sLgNdGA&feature=youtu.be
I talked with my piano teacher and she recommended doing short sections of the song, like a few bars, and doing this all the way through the song until I am happy with it and until it improves. When I have played the two sheets together, which I have in the video, I record it and see what bits I am struggling with. The bars I am struggling with, I will use my piano teacher's technique to improve them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_pfDdrZ--Y&feature=youtu.be
I do the right hand and left hand separately and then put it together slowly when I feel confident enough and gradually build speed as I improve on the section I'm working on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6RaDWcVyD8&feature=youtu.be
After all this, I record myself again to see the improvement, then I make notes on what sections need work and more practice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vic3sLgNdGA&feature=youtu.be
I talked with my piano teacher and she recommended doing short sections of the song, like a few bars, and doing this all the way through the song until I am happy with it and until it improves. When I have played the two sheets together, which I have in the video, I record it and see what bits I am struggling with. The bars I am struggling with, I will use my piano teacher's technique to improve them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_pfDdrZ--Y&feature=youtu.be
I do the right hand and left hand separately and then put it together slowly when I feel confident enough and gradually build speed as I improve on the section I'm working on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6RaDWcVyD8&feature=youtu.be
After all this, I record myself again to see the improvement, then I make notes on what sections need work and more practice.
Tuesday, 29 January 2013
Practice Plans
Song
1: Sparrow, piano piece
|
Phase
1: Warm up with scales and arpeggios, listen to
song all way through, play through song half-way through
|
Duration:
10-15 minutes
|
Phase
2: Go back to parts I struggle with and go over
them multiple times, record these parts and identify what is the problem,
practice what I hear is the problem
|
20-25 minutes
|
|
Phase
3: Play song half-way through and record when
confident, listen back and identify further problem areas and make notes
|
5-10 minutes
|
Song
2: My Favourite Things—Jazz Arrangement
|
Phase
1: Listen to song, print out lyrics and sing
through with backing track, work with accompanist and find tabs for guitar
for a jazz arrangement
|
Duration:
10 minutes
|
Phase
2: Go though song and record and identify
problem areas, work on them until confident
|
20 minutes
|
|
Phase
3: Record and go through whole song, record and
make note of further problem areas
|
5-10 minutes
|
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